OTC weight loss drug offers benefits

The first diet drug aimed at helping the growing number of fat people lose weight moved one step closer to U.S. approval of over-the-counter availability after a U.S. Food and Drug advisory panel endorsed the idea. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's advisers Alli, GlaxoSmithKline Plc's low-dose version of the prescription drug Xenical (orlistat), is generally safe and effective for adults when used for six months. If approved, it would be the first proven weight-loss drug to be sold over the counter. Researchers from the Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, felt that the risks with the drug were low, and people were better off taking Glaxo's drug than any of the countless, unapproved dietary supplements on the market. They did a study and found that patients taking Alli lost 1.8 to 2.4 kilograms, or about 4 to 5 pounds, more than those taking a placebo after six months. However, some scientists from the Emory University's School of Medicine in Atlanta were concerned about the use and abuse of the drug among teenagers and others. They felt that people were better off focusing on diet and exercise. Glaxo bought U.S. rights to Xenical from Roche Holding AG last year and hopes to sell a 60-milligram dose of the 120-milligram prescription version. The drug helps prevent fat from being absorbed by the body. This process can cause gastrointestinal problems such as oily stools, rectal discharge and excess gas, which are experienced by about half of all patients. However, a lower dose and a low-fat diet reduced side effects.